GMB - How does the National Basketball League see the boom in sports betting that Brazil is experiencing today?
Álvaro Cotta - I believe it is an opportunity to build business and relationship with a segment that, until then, did not exist for sports. There will be a first moment of great movement and entry of brands in the events, but I believe in an accommodation and greater selectivity of investments over time.
In recent times, bookmakers have invested heavily in Brazilian men's football. Is the basketball league interested in partnering, such as naming rights, with this segmentation on the rise in the country? How can basketball teams attract these investors that have displayed their brands on many football uniforms?
The League currently has Vivagol as a partner in the betting segment. Several teams are already looking for and offering opportunities for brands that want to join projects. There is no restriction on the size of the partnership, be it naming rights or isolated actions, but our focus is to build solid and long-term relationships. Basketball is one of the most popular sports in this segment and there will be many opportunities.
Many bookmakers are investing in brand ambassadors with Brazilian athletes and personalities. Have basketball players done this type of marketing?
I am not aware of all the initiatives. I know that Oscar Schmidt has become a brand ambassador. I believe this will happen as the betting industry moves closer to basketball, which should happen after regulation.
Sports houses are some of the most interested in sports integrity. Do you believe that with the regulation of this industry there will be a greater incentive in the inspection and in the creation of areas aimed to this within the national clubs?
This has been done and monitored at NBB (Novo Basquete Brasil) for some years. Sport is directly associated with competition and the integrity of the rules and conduct of the characters. Any contrary behavior can have dangerous consequences. However, the level of professionalism in Brazil is very high and the NBB has a mature ecosystem at this point.
What would be the best detection system to combat the manipulation of results in Brazil? In whose hands should the defense of integrity and punishment be left?
We don't have that track record in Brazilian basketball. Brazilian and international sports legislation has all cases of punishment for misconduct. Any suspicious behavior is accused by our statistical systems and by our partner, Genius Sports.
Bill 984/20 was issued, which determines that the rights to broadcast or reproduce sports matches belong to the club that plays at home. The measure alters the Pelé Law, so that teams that have not yet given up their rights could use their internet platforms to broadcast their games or even sell them to interested sports betting sites. What is your point of view regarding this change?
I believe that this Bill will cause changes in the model of negotiation and distribution of live sports content in Brazil. I have doubts that the text will be approved in its entirety, but the discussion brings lessons and positive reflections for the evolution of sport as a business in Brazil. Four years ago, we adopted a strategy for production and content management at NBB. We have multiplatform distribution agreements. There were seven media partners in 2019/20. Internationally we have already negotiated broadcasts on sports betting sites through IMG, our exclusive partner for this business. In the end, sports betting sites will not replace other platforms, such as TV and streaming, but will improve the experience of those fans who want to interact with games through betting.
Do you believe that the release and regulation of various types of games (such as casinos, bingos, etc.) can inject more investment in Brazilian clubs, just as the bookmakers have done in a massive way?
They can, but this regulation needs to be well defined and transparent.
Source: Exclusive GMB
